leyla

also remember that we gain and lose weight in increments... have you ever stepped on the scale and noticed that overnight, you gained 4 pounds? Losing weight is the same way.... just like kids grow overnight, our fat cells decide to expand or shrink overnight, after a period of time, and it doesn't happen ounce by ounce.... I don't know the science behind this-- my doctor told me this, and I've noticed it with my own weight loss. Hang in there and keep doing what you're doing. It will pay off. I had a slump period of about 2 months where I didn't lose a pound... but after that... I lost almost 2 pounds every week for 5 months straight. Our bodies are weird :-) Good luck!

Hey! So I totally know what it feels like to give up... it happens to everyone.... sometimes it lasts a few days, sometimes it's a few months. You have to give yourself the slack you need (when you need it) and then when you're ready, give yourself that kick in the butt that will keep you going. At the same time, obviously most of us get the lapband in the first place because we need HELP with restricting our food intake. I know money is tight, but you might want to consider getting a fill. Because truthfully... If I want pizza, I can eat *maybe* a slice... it's just not something that us bandsters should even be able to eat enough of to gain the weight back. And eating out, junk, etc is fine in moderation. I have not restricted myself from enjoying chips and icecream and other foods I enjoy... but with the band, I'm just limited to how much I can eat... I no longer can eat a whole pizza... just a slice... not a whole bag a chips, just a handful, and that's OK! Anyway, don't worry. We all lose weight and gain back pounds here and there! I think you're on the right track-- so be patient with yourself. take care of the body you have. best of luck!

I stayed at the camino real... it's a nice hotel... the rooms are comfortable, clean, and the staff is great. We didn't have a choice when I went... I probably would have stayed at the Mariott if I had been given a choice, but all the hotels know that the lapband guests need special things, and they're willing to accomodate. don't worry about your mom-- she's probably going to be taking care of you the whole time, and when she isn't, there is a pool at each of the hotels, and some small shopping areas within walking distance. I was exhausted the first day, but they want you to do all this walking, etc, so you're mom will likely be making sure you're doing all that. good luck with your surgery!

Thanks for all the feedback-- I definitely appreciate it. I was mentioning the hair-loss to a friend, and she suggested I see a dermatologist... don't know why I didn't think about that in the first place. I'm sure it has to do with protein and other food intake (or lack thereof). I just don't think I can take another pill... or one that needs to be consumed 6 times a day. I have a hard enough time remembering the few essentials I take daily. I'll look into the biotin and also, what specific product did you order from Neocell. I looked at their website and they have multiple capsules. Thanks again!

Hey, So I've steadily been losing weight over the past year since I got the band... but with that has come hair loss. I have been taking my multi-vitamins, and my doctor here in Seattle has me checked periodically for vitamin deficiencies... the only thing I am deficient in is vitamin D- which has to do with the lack of sunlight here. I eat a lot less than before, though, so for awhile I just assumed this was my body coping with the reduced intake... but I still continue to lose hair, even as new hair grows in. Has anyone else dealt with this? And does anything work to restore hair loss? Thanks, Anisa

I just wanted to get the word out on my fill doctor. His name is Dr. Lauter and he operates out of Bellevue, WA (right outside of Seattle). He's actually a bariatric surgeon, so he doesn't just run a fill center. He's one of the FEW surgeons who will see patients who had their band in Mexico. I've found that most places are pretty snobby about it, and I've had a hard time finding a welcoming, supportive place. Obviously going back to TJ is the best option-- but if you can't afford it, Dr. Lauter is a great alternative!

It may be possible, too, that some of leaked out. There was another girl on here- can't remember who-- but she had some of her band leak out after having an aggressive fill. I wonder if they will check how full you are when you go in next time. You may be at less than 3.0cc's and that may be the case for me as well. I'll keep you posted as I have my appointment next month. good luck

1. Name: Leyla 2. Location: Seattle, WA 3. Age: 25 4. Band Date: 11/26/2008 5. Married: no 6. Children of the human or furry kind: a pet turtle 7. Hobby(ies): traveling, reading, scrap-booking, fashion 8. Work: Public Health specialist for the City of Seattle 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: This was it for me. I had a few friends lose weight and regain the lives back. I knew this was the best thing I could do for myself. 10. Interesting factoid: I have traveled to every continent except Antarctica

you know, I am in the same situation, more or less. I live in Seattle and had my first fill with a Bariatric Surgeon named Dr. Lauter in Bellevue. He did an extensive pre-op analysis-- checked all kinds of vitals and blood levels (folic acid, etc). He even had me see a radiologist and to take pictures of my upper GI. He filled me to 3.0cc's right away and I also have a 10cm band. The first 3 days were awful, and I couldn't hold down a thing. I was about to ask him to take some of the fluid out, when things settled, and now I'm able to eat. In fact, I can eat about a third of what I ate freely (as long as I chew well) until I feel restricted. My only concern is that what happens when I need another fill? I only have 1 cc left. I feel comfortable now, but I may need more restriction in the future. Vangirl, please keep us posted on what you find out and how the situation progresses. I've heard that 3.0 cc's is aggressive, but it's doesn't feel all that bad. Unless, maybe, there has been a leak-- but wouldn't that have occurred right away? It wouldn't start leaking 4 days later, right?

Don't worry at all! I really was concerned about this myself, but it seems that most people lose between 5 and 12 pounds before their first fill. The fact that you've lost 19 (I'm assuming it includes your pre-op diet) is fantastic! Don't be discouraged. It all gets better with the first fill. I get mine on Wednesday :-)

I totally appreciate hearing this-- I'm just at the point before my first fill and haven't lost much weight-- but I feel encouraged just hearing your stories. Did you guys find it important to work out as well? I recently heard from a family friend who is a orthopedic surgeon that many people with the lapband have back problems from losing the weight so quickly (hard to believe for me, considering I've lost only 8 pounds)-- but it was interesting to think about. Especially since everyone keeps saying the band is a tool-- that means you have to work with it, right? did you feel like when the pounds started falling off, it had to do with both restriction and working out?

Hey there, I ordered isogenics before I had my lapband put in and I have mixed reviews about it. First of all, I think it's pretty overpriced for what you're getting. You can easily go to a healthfood store and put that cleanse together yourself. You get a protein shake equivillant, a cleanse drink (which you buy in pill form at a healthfood store), some laxatives, and a liquid vitamin. To credit the cleanse, it does work-- I did the 30 day version and lost 16 pounds and quit smoking. It felt pretty good, despite the fact that it's not the easiest thing to do. You have to be really committed to calorie restrictions. I wasn't really hungry at all-- but it was mentally challenging to do it for a whole month. Your body is really cleansed--- I couldn't believe the stuff I was, um, clearing out of my body. The downside is that I quickly gained the weight back. It's not meant to be a permanent weight loss solution. I suppose if I had done the cleanse after being banded, maybe it would've been easier to keep the weight off. You'd likely keep it off longer. I would definitely reccomend a cleanse, but save your money and go with something cheaper. I think it cost me about $400 altogether. good luck!

you know, I'd like to know, from a medical or biological perspective, what the difference is between consuming a creamy soup, and a blended soup... if the consistency is just the same, why does it matter? How can pureed food stretch the band? Does it have to do with the digestion of these foods-- or is it the passing of the food through the stomach? To me it makes absolutely no sense why we even distinguish clear/full/creamy liquids... They're not solids. What's the difference. I'm also on day 6 and I'm starving and sick of broth, so this could be why I'm questioning things. I might email the doc and ask him, but any thoughts you guys have would be great.